Handle for shovels and other tools



Nov. 5, 1929. w. E. SKELTON HANDLE FOR SHOVELS AND OTHER TOOLS Filed Feb. 16, 1926 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYJ.

Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED EIATES earner orr clz WALTER E. SKELTON, OF HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR T SKELToN SHOVEL 00., INC., A GOREORATION OF NEW YORK HANDLE FOR SI-IOVELS .AND OTHER TOOLS Application filed February 16, 1926. Serial No. 88,663. i

' My invention relates to handles for shovels and other tools, the object of the same being to provide a handle of this kind which is reinforced or strengthened at the point where it is most apt to break.

The invention is designed partcularly as an improvement upon that type of wooden handle, which is provided with a tapering lower end, adapted to fit within a correspondingly shaped socket in the shovel or other tool, and is chucked to a shoulder. This type of handle is more apt to yield and break at or adjacent to the shoulder thereon, and according to my invention I reinforce this portion of the handle by applying to the surface thereof a reinforcing strip and providing means for holding the strip in place.

The details of the invention will hereinafter appear and that which I regard as new will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawing forming part of the specification,

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a shovel, with a handle embodying my improvements applied to the socket portion thereof;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the lower end of the handle showing my improved reinforcing strip applied;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the reinforcing strip before it is applied;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the lower end of the handle and the socket portion of a shovel or other tool, showing a modified construction of the reinforcing strip;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section on line 6-6 of Fi 5 Fig. '7 is a detail'perspective view of the reinforcing strip shown in Fig. 5, prior to its application to the handle.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts in the different views.

The shovel 1 has been shown as provided with a tapering socket 21in which the lower tapered end 3 of a wooden handle 4 fits. The reduced tapered portion 3 of the handle is separated from the bodyportion thereof by a shoulder 5, which engages the outer end of the socket 2, so that, when the handle is applied to the socket, the body portion f the handle will lie flush with the surface of the socket 2 and form a substantial continuation thereof. This type of handleis weak at the point where the tapered portion 3 is 25. chucked to the shoulder 5. and there is a great tendency of the'handle to break at that point after it has been in use for'awhile. To overcome this weakness and to add to the life of the handle, I propose to secure along the 1 0 surface of the handle a reinforcing strip 6. This strip has been. shown as provided with 'bent ends, forming arms 7 and 8, and these arms have been shown as fitting within transverse openings 9 and 10. The opening 9 is 1 in the tapered portion 3 of the handle, whereas the opening 10 is in the body portion thereof. The strip 6 extends longitudinally of the .handle oniopposite sides of the shoulder 5.

The. reinforcing strip of the'construction 0 shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 has been shown as triangular in cross-section, the apex of the triangle being directed inwardly. When this strip is applied to the handle 4 by introducing the arms 7 and 8 into the openings 9 and 10, pressure or blows are applied to the outer surface of the strip causing the sharp inner edge thereof to penetrate the surface of the handle to such an extent that the outer fiat :lsurface of. the strip lies flush with the outer 8 0 fiat surface of the handle. Any suitable means may be employed for securingthe strip 6 in place. In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3and 4, the openings 9 and 10 extend entirely through the handle and the arms .585 7 and 8 extend entirely through these openings. The ends of the arms 7 and 8 are then upset, as shown at 11, so that the strip 6 is held firmly and securely in place. The tapered portion 3 of the handle may then be 59.

' my signature.

' arm 8 and has been shown as bent at an acute angle to the body of the strip 6*. The openlng 9 in the tapered portion of the handle lies at an acute angle to the surface of the handle and extends only part way through.

In applying the reinforcing strip 6 the arm '7 is introduced into the opening. 9 and the arm 8 into the opening 10*. By reason of the angular disposition of the arm 7 and the opening 9, thelower end of the strip 6' is held in place and the opposite end of the strip is secured in position by upsetting the arm 8 as shown at 11. In this form of the invention, the reinforcing strip 6 lies flush:

with the surface of the wooden handle 4:, so

thatthextapered portion of said handle may i be" inserted as before into the socket 2 of the shovel: or, other tool.

' 1.. Ahandle for shovels and other tools ,havinga tapered end, and a reinforcement for-said handle consisting of a strip of metal substantially narrower than the handle and "extending longitudinally of the handle from a point within the tapered portion to a. point substantially above the same, said strip having its lower end bent and securely held in a; transverse recess of said tapered, vportion and having its upper end also bent and securelyheldr in a transverse recess within the handle above the tapered. portion.

2. A handle for shovels and other tools having .atapered' end, and a reinforcement for'said' handle consisting of a strip of metal substantially narrower than the' handle and extending longitudinally of the handle from a point within the tapered portion to a point substantially above the same, said strip having its lower end-bent and tightly held ina transverse recess of said tapered-portion" and having its upper end also: bent and. tightly held in a transverse recess within the handle above the tapered portion, said strip being of triangular cross section and tightly embedded in said handle throughout the length oi the strip.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe WA TER E. SKELTON. 

